Hikkim Village

A tiny hamlet, Hikkim is known for being the home of the highest post office in the world. Hikkim village is at an altitude of 4440 m (14567 feet) above the sea level. The Hikkim post office was opened on November 5, 1983, and Rinchen Chhering has been the branch postmaster here since its inception.

Distribution of Postcards

The mail/postcard is carried on foot to Kaza the main town of Spiti Valley, which is at a distance of around 16km from Hikkim and from there it is taken mostly by bus to Reckong Peo and then to Shimla, further to Kalka, again headed to Delhi, and distribution started upon reaching Delhi.

My journey to Hikkim started from Kaza and along with 2 other fellow travelers whom I met at Key Monastery. We hired a cab to take us to Hikkim and after sometime drop us at Komic. On reaching Hikkim we met Rinchen Chhering the branch postmaster and he really helped us to post the cards back to our homes.

People of Hikkim

The best thing about the entire Spiti Valley is its people, they’re really helpful and happy in what they’ve. Apart from Rinchen I met few of such people at Hikkim, kids and an old lady praying in his own way with a mala in her hand.

The old lady & kids all were sitting on the roof of the post office as seen in the above picture. The lady was praying with her mala and kids, they were studying and talking to each other and when we were about to leave all of them came down.

Before leaving, we had chit chats with the kids, talked to the old lady. We also offered some cream cookies to kids, they were really happy about getting the cookies.

In the end, I asked Rinchen Chhering the postmaster for a pic as a memory with him and he was really happy to get clicked.

Hikkim one of the most peaceful place I’ve visited, the entire village gave a sense of calmness which one can feel by visiting there, I left Hikkim with a promise of visiting it once again.